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Letters of Julia and Caroline

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2011

Maria Edgeworth
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Summary

LETTER I.

JULIA TO CAROLINE.

IN vain, dear Caroline, you urge me to think, I profess only to feel.

“Reflect upon my own feelings! analyze “my notions of happiness! explain to “you my system!—” My system! But I have no system: that is the very difference between us. My notions of happiness cannot be resolved into simple, fixed, principles. Nor dare I even attempt to analyse them, the subtle essence would escape in the process: Just punifhment to the alchemist in morality!—You, Caroline are of a more sedate, contemplative character.

Philosophy becomes the rigid mistress of your life, enchanting enthusiasm the companion of mine. Suppose she lead me now and then in pursuit of a meteor; am not I happy in the chace? When one illusion vanishes, another shall appear, and still leading me forward towards an horizon that retreats as I advance, the happy prospect of futurity shall vanish only with my existence.

“Reflect upon my feelings!“—dear Caroline, is it not enough that I do Feel?—All that I dread is that apathy which philosophers call tranquillity. You tell me that by continually indulging I shall weaken my natural sensibility; are not all the faculties of the foul improved, refined by exercise, and why shall this be excepted from the general law?

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Letters for Literary Ladies
To Which is Added, an Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification
 , pp. 77 - 156
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010
First published in: 1795

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